It's tough to sell vinyl if the labels (indie and major) don't manufacture enough of it! The majority of titles are just not being manufactured and a consumer can't buy it even if they wanted to. Sales would dramatically increase if the vinyl was actually available to purchase...and you can't download vinyl.

I disagree. You have to follow the scarce goods model to keep demand.

I agree with roadie2. While it's true that the majority aren't producing vinyl, there does seem to be an increase in the number of independent bands who are making vinyl an option to their fans.

I'm willing to bet that the resurgence of vinyl is more than just a fad.  I think with the advent of the CD lots of people who preferred vinyl were alienated and it's taken musicians, large and small, until recently to figure that out.  

I would say there's a pretty large demand out there for music on vinyl - the supply just isn't there because it costs more to produce.

This is really just a small amount and nothing compared to the CD or even download album. It could easily be a fad.

This is something that bothers me about all forms of reporting: Hyperbole. Vinyl sales might have been "booming" at one point, but compared to what? They represented less than half a percentage point of all music sales. I wouldn't call vinyl a "fad" since it has consistently been around for nearly 100 years, but I would now certainly call it a "niche" without reservation.

I realize that hardcore music nerds love vinyl. I do too. But let's not delude ourselves into thinking the average person is suddenly going to run out and buy a turntable this Christmas. A very, very small percentage of people who buy music will buy records. The vast majory will buy CDs and/or digital downloads.

I agree with some of that except for the part where Best Buy gets involved.  It seems like this could go mainstream, whereas the indie base is just that --- the early crowd and trend setters.

::MW

Jeff I'm with you...I believe its a niche within a niche. I pick up Stereophile mag from time to time and it seems like folks who want that sound will pay big $$ for the equipment and the vinyl. Most are classical/jazz fans or collectors who are passionate about having a connection to this type of recording. A small dip in sales here and there is no big deal as the industry as a whole pays little attention it. It will be ok.

Be careful of things the industry wants so badly to happen.  They often don't happen: paid downloads, CD sales recovery (yeah right), subscription, DIY, ringtone sustained revenues, list goes on.

I hear the wax cylinder is making a comeback.

I've heard that Best Buy doesn't buy vinyl from every label due to certain specifics and whatnot... so unless they change their stance they'll be left behind on this front.

Also, does it bug anyone else that there are no legends for any of the charts and graphs that are posted on this site? I love the articles, but that's ALWAYS bugged me. What does 1, 2, 3, 4 mean for the y-axis of units? 1 mil? in 100,000's? 10,000's? Noone knows?!?!

y-axis is millions, I just added that to the article. Sorry for any confusion.

/paul

Vinyl will be around for a long time come. Music fans still want something tangible and until there is a better replacement it will continue to grow, at least for a while. Sales will probably slow down eventually; but keep in mind, vinyl never really went away. Plus the younger generation is now (re)discovering what makes vinyl so great. Some of it may be a fad, but it started with true vinyl fans.

hifidelics 

Are Vinyl Sales Slowing Down, Already?

kind of, but not really.

 

I'd like to see a chart that shows cassette sales as well... I'm sure sales for cassettes are increasing, especially in the indie sector, which could have an impact on vinyl sales.